IMPORTATION OF STOCK

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22466, 29 July 1938, Page 16

IMPORTATION OF STOCK

RESOLUTION PASSED BY SHEEPOWNERS ANNUAL MEETING OF FEDERATION (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, July 28. The annual meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Sheepowners' Federation, which concluded in Wellington to-day, passed unanimously a resolution fully endorsing the Royal Agricultural Society's request that the Government should subsidise the cost of importing approved stud stock from Britain into New Zealand on the lines followed in Australia. Strong support for an extended use of the funds for research into animal diseases \ given by several speakers. It was decided to leave the matter of urging the need for further research to the president (Mr H. D. Acland), with a view to his conferring with the Meat Board and Wool Publicity Committee. The provision of adequate shipping for chilled beef was fully discussed. The president explained that the reasons for the difficulties which arose last season were the Coronation traffic and other factors. Mr Acland added that the indications were that less difficulty would be experienced during the coming year. The granting of assistance for treeplanting in areas where timber is scarce and shelter for stock unavailable was also discussed. It was decided to ask the executive to make representations to the appropriate Government department for assistance to be given in labour for planting and fencing areas for the protection of stock on private farm lands where protection can be shown to be necessary. Sapply of Trees Sought Another resolution was passed- on this subject asking the Government to consider favourably the supply at a low cost of forest tiees for the establishment of tree plantations by private persons, and also to consider the possibility of extending State forest activities to districts where future supplies of timber are deficient. The plight of high-country runholders in the South Island'was em-

phasised by several speakers. It was pointed out that large areas of this country under the present running costs would be out of production on the average price received for wool. The suggestion was made that possibly some assistance might be given where the Government was satisfied that it was justified to maintain production and prevent large areas of the country being left to rabbits, deer, and noxious weeds. It was stated these areas would become a national liability unless conditions were made sufficiently favourable to enable production to be carried on on a reasonIt was decided to approach the Government to limit as far as possible the menace of indiscriminate shooting on Crown property by persons holding shooting licences and to point out that the holding of a shooting licence should not necessarily carry with it the right of entry over grazing areas, particularly at certain seasons, such as lambing, and where continual disturbance to stock resulted.